Eastern Cape man arrested after alleged double murder and hijacking

The suspect was arrested by the Kariega Crime Prevention Unit on Monday after police received information that he had been seen at a tavern in KwaNobuhle. He is expected to appear in court on Wednesday in connection with the allegations.

Man allegedly killed over affair accusations

The first murder case was reported at Middelburg police station on 8 June 2025. Police allege that the suspect killed a man at about 10.48pm after accusing him of having an affair with the suspect’s 43-year-old wife.

Eastern Cape police spokesperson Captain Yolisa Mgolodela said the suspect allegedly kidnapped an adult woman after the killing. He is accused of hijacking her vehicle and using it to leave Middelburg in the direction of Graaff-Reinet.

A kidnapping and hijacking case was subsequently opened at Middelburg police station. The allegations against the suspect have not been tested in court.

Woman found dead near road to Murraysburg

The kidnapped woman, who was 53 years old, was allegedly murdered after being taken. Her body was discovered days later next to a road leading to Murraysburg.

A separate murder case was opened at Robert Sobukwe police station. The vehicle allegedly taken during the hijacking was recovered in Kariega on 11 June.

The cases were later transferred to the Nxuba Serious Violent Crime Unit, which continued the investigation into the two deaths, the alleged kidnapping and the hijacking.

Police say suspect moved between provinces

Mgolodela said the suspect had been at large since the incidents. Police deployed resources to locate him after he allegedly left the area and travelled to different provinces to evade arrest.

“The suspect reportedly left and went to different provinces as he was evading the arrest,” Mgolodela said.

The information received by police on Monday led members of the Kariega Crime Prevention Unit to the tavern in KwaNobuhle. When officers approached him, he allegedly tried to run away but was apprehended.

The arrest involved several police teams, including members of the Nxuba Serious Violent Crime Unit, the Middelburg and Robert Sobukwe crime investigation teams, the Nxuba and Middelburg dog units, and the Kariega and Nxuba crime prevention units.

Two court appearances expected

The suspect is expected to appear in the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday on murder charges. He is also expected to appear in the Robert Sobukwe Magistrate’s Court in connection with the murder and hijacking allegations.

The separate court appearances reflect the fact that the cases were reported and investigated through different police stations and units. The court process will determine how the allegations proceed and give the accused an opportunity to respond to the charges.

Until the matter is heard in court, the suspect remains an accused person and the allegations against him remain unproven. The investigation and court proceedings are expected to clarify the evidence linked to the two deaths, the alleged kidnapping and the recovery of the vehicle.

How the investigation unfolded

The case began with the report of a fatal shooting or killing at Middelburg on 8 June 2025, followed by the alleged kidnapping and hijacking. The discovery of the woman’s body near the road to Murraysburg led to a second murder investigation.

The recovery of the vehicle in Kariega three days later provided a further investigative lead, while the suspect’s alleged movement between provinces made locating him more difficult. Police units from the areas connected to the cases eventually worked together to track him down.

The arrest brings the suspect before the courts after more than a year of alleged evasion. Further details about the evidence and the charges will be addressed through the legal proceedings.